Yes, we have plenty of Orchids! Orchid growing on Sanibel Island

While Sanibel Island is best known for shell collecting and as one of the best birding locations in the country, flower lovers can be happy with visions of bougainvillea, hibiscus, oleander and other colorful and tropical plantings on view everywhere. 

But less conspicuous to the casual viewer are the orchids.

They do not grow in the wild, nor do the other tropical beauties, but the orchids are much more subtle in presentation.

To see them, one must visit some of the luxurious vacation rental properties where orchids are displayed in court yards, or some of the restaurants, such as Cip's,  where orchids hang from trees.

But orchids are popular enough on Island that there is a Sanibel-Captiva Orchid Society.

And at least one resident and member of the Society has gained some fame with his orchids because of his care and patience. 

Soon after purchasing his first orchid, Sanibel resident Joseph Salatino came across a book that read "welcome to a journey that many people begin and few finish," on the front sleeve. His journey continued in Dallas, Texas, with more than 1,000 plants in his greenhouse.

Salatino now has 175 plants on Sanibel at his home. He designed an outdoor space that fits into the environment where the orchids either hang or sit on a table. Salatino said a lot of the orchids have different needs, some which are special nutritional needs. A number of his orchids are kept shaded with a fan pointing on them because they strive better in cooler environments. Once the orchid is placed in the best climate, Salatino said you can pretty much leave them alone.

This orchid lover  was pleasantly surprised when one  morning he walked outside and noticed his exotic orchid in bloom for the first time since planting it more than a month ago. The Sanibel resident found a grower in northern California after researching the coryanthes cacrantha orchid, which has a nickname of the "bucket orchid," online.

He said he wanted to take a chance and see if he could get it to grow. The bucket orchid is a native of South America and has a scent similar to licorice .

But don't let us throw you off the scent.  Sanibel's flora can be smelled as well as seen, and either sense will be rewarded with a stay on island!